Parasitology Research (2016) 115, 3747-3758

Hanem Khater, Nabil Hendawy, Marimuthu Govindarajan, Kadarkarai Murugan and Giovanni Benelli (2016)
Photosensitizers in the fight against ticks: safranin as a novel photodynamic fluorescent acaricide to control the camel tick Hyalomma dromedarii (Ixodidae)
Parasitology Research 115 (10), 3747-3758
Abstract: Ticks transmit more pathogen species than any other group of blood-feeding arthropods worldwide, affecting humans, livestock, and companion animals. Hyalomma dromedarii is the predominant tick species infesting camels, and its effective control is of pivotal importance. In this research, we compared the phytoefficacy of safranin (SF), a fluorescent dye applied as an acaricide for the first time, to that of tetramethrin (TM) against engorged females of H. dromedarii through in vitro immersion bioassays. Furthermore, the effect of SF exposure was evaluated on the reproductive potential of surviving tick females. Different concentrations of SF (0.03, 0.06, 0.3, 1, and 4 % w:v) and TM (0.03, 0.13, 0.5, 2, and 4 %) were prepared in distilled water and administered to engorged females of H. dromedarii. SF-treated ticks were illuminated with a light source for 30 min post-treatment (PT). Photophysical properties of SF were studied, and the relative efficacy of the used light source and sunlight was calculated. Results showed that the minimum least concentration that causes 100 % acaricidal effect was 4 % PT with SF and TM, for 8 and 48 h, respectively. LC₅₀ values 8 and 24 h PT were 0.08, 0.03 and 0.78, 0.20 %, respectively. Comparing LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ 2 h PT, SF was 33 and 22 times more potent than TM. LT₅₀ of 4 % SF and TM were 0.80 and 2.17 h, respectively. Treatment with the lowest concentrations of SF and TM induced reduction of the number of ovipositing females, eggs per female, ticks laying viable eggs, and hatched eggs. Overall, our results highlighted that SF is highly effective if compared to TM, allowing use to candidate it for the development of novel and safer acaricides.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Giovanni Benelli, Kadarkarai Murugan

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Hyalomma dromedarii